Stetson Is Excited With Rising Fortunes

Volusia sports - SOCCER

August 27, 1999|By Andy Lee, Special to the Sentinel

DELAND - The sound of excitement heard around the Stetson University campus could very well be coming from Hatters men's soccer Coach Sean Murphy.

Entering his second season, the Hatters return eight starters from a team that went 9-9-1 and made its first Trans America Athletic Conference tournament appearance in 10 years, where the Hatters made it all the way to the semifinals.

``I'm really excited about the upcoming season,'' he said. ``We've got a very good combination of experience and talent. Our leadership is strong and we should be able to build upon the success of the last two seasons.''

Forward Stian Tobiassen from Norway is the leader of this pack. The first-team All-Conference selection outplayed enough double-teams to score a career-high 16 goals and five assists.

``Stian is an exceptional player,'' said Murphy. ``I think he could be one of the best college soccer players in the country. And this season, with our improved depth, he should be even better.''

Fellow Norwegian Kjell Aasheim plays alongside Tobiassen, who ranked among the top scorers in the conference with 10 goals. Hatters captain Michael Poole moves from defense to midfield. Poole was a third-team All-Conference selection last season.

Said Murphy: ``Mike and Stian will help tremendously with our leadership. They're the type of players who lead by example. They go all-out all the time. They don't accept failure.''

Two transfers from Southern (S.C.) Wesleyan, Sean Finn and Joey Fitzpatrick, could easily be the surprise talents. Finn is a two-time NAIA All-American and Fitzpatrick was third in the NAIA last season with 23 assists.

Senior sweeper Rich Serianni, who missed all but three games in 1997, returned last season and was outstanding.

``This team is a lot more fit than it was a year ago,'' said Murphy. ``The players understand the system of play we employ. Our style has changed, we've become a more possession-oriented team. We have a much better understanding of how to play.''

In goal, the Hatters turn to first-year starter Tim Riek. If he runs into trouble, Josh Bruce and Patrick Hurley, both freshmen, are capable of stepping in.

``All three have played in some big games in their careers both in high school and at the club level,'' said Murphy. ``But Riek has a year of experience with my style of play.''